From seeds to success with Virginia
Virginia Wairimu, a smallholder farmer and entrepreneur from Limuru, Kiambu County, Kenya, has been working with Premier Credit since 2018 to expand her agricultural business.
She specializes in selling a wide range of farming supplies, from seeds to livestock, sourced from various suppliers across Kenya.
“I first got a loan in 2018, and now I’ve gone through eleven cycles. I started with 150,000 Kenyan shillings, and now I’m servicing a loan of 270,000. My business has definitely grown over the years,” says Virginia. She values Premier Credit for its service and fast loan turnaround times, which help her manage her business operations smoothly and expand her inventory, which has been key to attracting more customers.
“The speed of loan disbursement and reliability have been really helpful for my business,” says Virginia. “The good thing is that Premier has helped me to stock all the products my customers need. During the rainy season, when demand for certain products rises, I can keep my store well-stocked.”
In addition to traditional farming products, Virginia has expanded into selling poultry, particularly chicks, and she has become a key distributor for farmers in her area. Her business has become a central hub for local farmers to access essential inputs, thanks to the financial support she has received. “I sell everything from day-old chicks to five-week-old chicks, as well as seeds and fertilizers,” she explains.
To further improve her operations, Virginia is now exploring asset financing options with Premier Credit to expand her distribution capacity, such as acquiring vehicles for transportation and increasing her stock of agricultural tools. These investments will enable her to distribute goods more efficiently and expand her customer base even further. “The idea of asset financing to help with distribution is exciting. I believe it will be a big boost for my business and help me serve more customers,” says Virginia.
“If the weather is good and we have the right products, customers will come. The business is growing, and I plan to continue expanding. Premier has been a great partner in that journey.”
In 2024 Abler Nordic and Norfund each provided an $8 million senior loan in local currency to Premier Credit, to expand its support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), enhancing access to finance for underserved businesses and driving economic growth across Kenya.
